Spring



Patented Jan. 22, 1929.

* UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL GREEN, OF PHILADELPHIA, lPENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO EVERYBODYS TALKING MACHINE COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYL- VANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

SPRING.

Application filed December 24, 1927. Serial No. 242,334.

This invention relates to a spring, yparticu` larly a spring of the spiral type such as used in phonographs or for other purposes which is provided with means for holding it in partly wound condition for example to facilitate its insertion into a container.

Heretofore it has been proposed to maintain springs of the character vdescribed in partly wound condition so thattheir insertion into a phonograph motor or the like would be facilitated by means of a band surrounding the spring. This band was, however, permanently fixed so that, while the spring was capable of further winding by means of a spindle in the usual manner, nevertheless, the degree of unwinding was limited by the band, which remained in a closed condition. In a phonograph motor or the like it is desirable that the spring he permitted to unwind to fill the barrel in which it is ordinarily located, thereby producing a greater period of running of the motor.

It is the object of the present invention, accordingly, to provide a means for maintaining the spring in partial winding condition to facilitate its insertion into the barrel of a motor, which means will, however, be released automatically upon the first winding of the spring to permit the spring thereafter to eX- pand to the extent permit-ted by the barrel in which it is located.

In the drawing which discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a view of the spring in partly wound condition with the retaining means in place;

Fig. 2 is an end view looking at the right# hand side of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view showing the spring in ein panded condition within a motor barrel with the confining means released; and

Fig. Il is an enlarged sectional view taken centrally of the confining band showing it in position engaging the spring.

At 2 there is shown a conventional form of barrel which is suitably geared to drive a phonograph disc or the like and which is provided on its inner surface with a lug l adapted to engage a keyhole slot 6 in the outer end of a spiral spring 8, the inner end of which is secured by a. similar keyhole slot construction, to a lug 10 carried by a winding spindle 12.

Prior to the insertion of the spring 8 into the barrel, it is partially wound and maintained in such partially wound condition by means of a band 1/1, one end of which, shown, is provided with a. hook 16 engaging one side of a slot 18 adjacent the outer end of the spring. Hook 16 may be either permanently or releasably secured lto the spring. From this point of attachment, the band 14 extends circumferentially about `the spring and the other end thereof is formed into a hook 20, adapted to engage the opposite side of slot 18. Hook 2O is of open construct-ion and band 14 is formed of spring metal or the like with a normal tendency for the ends to come together.

As long as the spring is free to unwind, it will force the ends of band 14 apart, maintaining them in hooked engagement with 'the sides of slot 18 and in this condition, shown in Fig. 1, the spring may be readily handled or sold, and inserted into the barrel 2. In inserting the spring into barrel 2, keyhole slot 6 is engaged over lug l, and the slot in its inner end is engaged over lug 10. If, now, spindle 12 is turned to wind the spring. its diameter decreases and ends 2O and 16 of the band 14 are tree to come together, whereby hook 2O is released from engagement with slot 18 and will. thereafter not reengage the slot. Upon unwinding of the spring, the spring will force the band into annular enA gagement with the barrel 9, so that the re* suiting position of the spring in unwound condition will be, as shown in Fig. 3, with 'the band'14 pressed against the inner wall of the barrel.

While there has been shown a preferrel form of the invention, it will be obvious that minor changes may be made, without departing from the spirit of the invention, within the scope of the appended claims.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. 1n combination with a spiral spring, a band surrounding the spring with its ends engaging the spring to hold the spring 1n partly wound condition, one end of the band being automatically released from the spring upon further winding of thel spring.

2. 1n combination with a spiral spring, a band surrounding the spring having one end engaging the spring and the other end hooked Within an aperture near the outer end of the spring.

3. In combination with a spiral spring, a band surrounding the spring having one end engaging the spring and the other end releas ably secured to the spring near the outer end oi' the spring.

4. In a spiral spring, stop means comprising a detent portion and an Iengaged portion, one of said' portions being termed on the springsaid portions acting to restrain the nnwinding movement of an inner convolute relative to an adjacent convohite thereof, but permitting free Winding movement of said inner convolnte.

5. In a spiral spring, there being lng engaging means on each end of the spring, other stop means comprising hook and eye portions, one of said portions being formed on the spring, said portions acting to restrain the unvvinding movement of an inner convolute relative to an adj acent convolute thereot, Vhut permitting free Winding movement of said inner convolute.

6. In a spiral spring, there being lug engagingV openings in each end of the spring, there being a second opening in the outer convolnte adjacent to the other opening in said end, a hook carried by the next to the outer convolute adapted to engage the second opening and restrain the unwinding of the outer convolnte relative to the inner convolutes, but perlnittin ilree Winding movement of all of the convolntes.

In testimony ol which invention, I have hereunto set my hand, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on this 23rd day of December, 1927.

PAUL GREEN; 

